Hartford

Hartford—one of the oldest cities in the United States—is firmly entrenched in history. Home to famous writers such as Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, old historic buildings and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, it is a city with many surprises.

Overview Attractions / Activities Food Final Comments

Hartford—the capital of Connecticut—is the fourth largest city in Connecticut. Founded in 1635 and rich in history, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States. And some of the United States’ oldest buildings, museums, and parks are here.

Hartford also holds the distinction of being the “Insurance Capital of the World.” In other words, it is home to most of the insurance companies in the United States.

If you do find yourself in this part of the United States, refer to this Hartford Adventure Guide to maximize your time here.

Recommended Duration of Visit

2 days (ideal), 1 day (doable)

Click for some interesting facts about Hartford

The first hamburgers in the United States were served in New Haven (about 40 minutes from Hartford).
Hartford is named after Hertford, England.
Katharine Hepburn—considered by the American Film Institute to be the greatest female cinema legend—was born in Hartford, Connecticut. She is buried in Cedar Hills Cemetery. Incredibly, she won 4 Oscars (the most by any female actress) and never attended the ceremonies to receive them. “As for me, prizes are nothing,” she once said. “My prize is my work.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, moved to and lived in Hartford until her death. Her house is a National Historic Landmark.
Mark Twain lived in Hartford from 1874 to 1891. His house is right next to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s house.

Before You Go

Flights / Getting There: Flying directly into Hartford is the most efficient strategy, but driving from Boston, Massachusetts is fine as well.

Overview

Climate: Hartford’s climate intuitively follows the normal pattern of North America. There is one distinction: winters (December, January, February) are very cold.

Communication: English is the official language.

Navigation: Traveling by car is, by far, the best way to explore most of what Hartford has to offer.

Lodging: Lodging, in general, is relatively inexpensive in Hartford. When possible, staying within the outskirts of the city is ideal.

Activities Planning: Most attractions are free to visit, but they are far enough apart to necessitate driving.

Special Considerations

New Haven is about 40 minutes away and worth a visit if you have the time for it.

General: Winters are especially brutal in Hartford, but the weather is relatively cold mid-Fall as well. Make sure to bring plenty of cold gear for visits planned during the Fall or Winter.

Peak Seasons: Summer is the ideal and peak season because Hartford has great weather in the summer.

Currency: United States Dollars (USD). Currency Converter.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

Most of the time, attractions are paired up based on similarity and/or proximity. All the names provided are easily searchable on Google Maps.

Elizabeth Park: Elizabeth Park features walkways, century-old greenhouses, lawns, tennis courts, a picnic grove, a scenic pond, and a wooden pavilion at the center of a gorgeous rose garden.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

The Mark Twain House & Museum: It was during his 17 years in Hartford that Mark Twain published some of his most famous works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The grounds feature a sizable pond, a garden, and plenty of shade alongside this American Gothic-style structure.

Within the mansion, there are literally thousands of artifacts, including Twain’s favorite desk where he wrote his best works.

The house of Harriet Beecher Stowe (the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin) is also mere seconds away.

Cost: For more information, refer to the official Mark Twain House & Museum website. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

I visited during the winter, but visits during the summers are ideal because the flowers should be in full bloom by then.

Mark Twain lived in numerous places throughout his life. However, his boyhood home is actually in Hannibal, Missouri.

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch: Located within Bushnell Park, this memorial arch is one of the major landmarks of Hartford. It honors the men of Hartford who fell on land and sea “in the war for the Union.” It is located directly at the center of a road that is entirely blocked off to motor vehicles, making it a great place for walking and biking.

The entire park is also quite scenic and features other picturesque attractions such as the Corning Fountain.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Great River Park: In addition to the hiking trails, amphitheater, and boat launch area, Great River park offers a good view of the Hartford skyline and a serene nature getaway.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 60 minutes.

Parking around this area can be a pain, so it might be better to park downtown, grab some food, and walk over.

There is a large parking lot right nearby. During the summers, there are usually free concerts on Thursdays.